Schlumberger launches degradable alloy to optimize productivity

Feb. 26, 2014
Schlumberger has introduced ELEMENTAL degradable alloy balls for multi-stage stimulation treatments.

Offshore staff

HOUSTONSchlumberger has introduced ELEMENTAL degradable alloy balls for multi-stage stimulation treatments. The company says that the technology demonstrates predictable and complete degradation of the alloy balls for maximum well productivity.

“The ELEMENTAL degradable alloy technology enables high-stage-count jobs to be carried out in both cemented and uncemented wells by eliminating the risk of stuck balls and the need to mill them out,” said Mike Garding, president of completions for Schlumberger.

The alloy balls degrade predictably in a wide range of downhole conditions, well depths, temperatures, pressures, and well fluids, said Schlumberger. Controlled degradation takes place without the need for chemical additives, low pH environment, retrieval operations, or milling after fracturing.

The technology has been deployed with the Falcon multi-stage stimulation system for uncemented wells in formations representing a significant challenge to degradation times – such as in the Gold Creek, Slave Point, Glauconite, Cardium, Montney, and Lower Montney formations – with bottomhole temperatures as low as 30°C (86°F). The ELEMENTAL alloy technology has also been used in the Bakken basin, where formation temperatures are around 127°C (260°F).

02/26/2014